The Old Guard

Gerald Trottman, composer of Blade Runner: Black Lotus, The Expanse and numerous other films and TV shows, joins Wally and Rowls in the studio to discuss his latest project and to explore the expanding impact of artificial intelligence on both the music and film industries.Episode Notes: For more on Gerald Trottman, visit his website: https://www.geraldtrottman.com/Check out Gerald Trottman on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/77mRI3xxkVWx1MEcsgl9p6?si=5twybWqeTWuGI2X5TXdr0gGerald’s latest project as composer, songwriter and theme music creator:Hey AJ! on Disney Junior:https://youtu.be/8ublbvMLC-w?si=0Z_46O8jIT998pOEBlade Runner: Black Lotus Score by Michael Hodges & Gerald Trottman:https://open.spotify.com/album/3ymk2ymdF45dCICWJ8Kck9?si=ObzyS7OxQYOK-syd3j1zhgGerald Trottman worked on a number songs on The Expanse Series Soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/album/0XNDUGaDVFUqjTQcXXaAR6?si=uHuHa_zmRYeqx-jsMd6bPg

Rowls and Wally discuss the trend of creating blockbuster movies with an unfinished screenplay? Make it make sense. Episode Notes: Article we referenced on this episode: James Gunn Says the “Movie Industry Is Dying” Due to Films Being Made With Unfinished ScriptsVIdeo of Unfinished Screenplays: https://youtu.be/_0MPuu5k_oc?si=cLpnXxIjUozd3HPd

Rowls and Wally recall their favorite — and a few least favorite — movies and TV shows from 2025.

Rowls and guest Hattori Hanzo discuss Stranger Things season five — its cultural impact, why it endures, and how it’s shaped pop culture and fan communities. Synopsis: In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries.Stranger Things 5 Trailer:https://youtu.be/PssKpzB0Ah0?si=o8EBHseqV0pT3k8b

Joined by special guest Hattori Hanzo, Wally and Rowls discuss the deep themes and writing of Vince Gilligan in his latest offering streaming now on Apple TV - PLUR1BUS. Synopsis: In a world overtaken by a mysterious wave of forced happiness, Carol Sturka, one of the immune few, must uncover what's really going on - and save humanity from its artificial bliss.PLUR1BUS Trailer:https://youtu.be/gpnizY19kEM?si=V-Ikn1KRLloqVubT

The Old Guard joins Bucky’s Basement podcast to review 2007’s Ghost Rider. You can find all things Bucky’s Basement here at buckysbasement.com/

Wally and Rowls discuss the fresh energy and new direction in the Predator series now that Dan Trachtenberg is at the helm. In this episode, they provide a brief review of Predator: Killer of Killers, followed by an in-depth, full review of Predator: Badlands, exploring the themes and impact of the latest installment.Synopsis:Cast out from its clan, an alien hunter and an unlikely ally embark on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. Predator: Badlands Trailer:https://youtu.be/43R9l7EkJwE?si=L97ceevZ0lU4DlVBPrey Trailer: https://youtu.be/wZ7LytagKlc?si=dd4_D0ZxPs5y9r06Predator: Killer of Killers Trailer: https://youtu.be/fbddYji1F8s?si=ygk0X3UeG6D6ezB9Predator: Killer of Killers Complete Ending:https://youtu.be/7zLZ-3sA37k?si=nGZKrs9taNqLMLhB

Wally and Rowls have a candid conversation about the push from executives to require writers to develop simple, less complex scripts to keep a distracted audience engaged. Notes:Jameela Jamil on The Romesh Ranganathan Show discussing second screen viewing: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQJIBowiCv6/?igsh=M2ZnZTl3bGlucHF5PC Magazine article on second screen viewing: Netflix Is Telling Writers to Dumb Down Shows Since Viewers Are on Their Phones

Rowls is joined by special guest Hattori Hanzo to review the third installment of the Tron series, Tron: Ares.Synopsis:Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.The soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/album/47pjW3XDPW99NShtkeewxl?si=mmnY8n6-Tb-MSiemOCCkaATrailer:https://youtu.be/yMVNJzdvLi4?si=hyhe8N_nO6OILNg1

Rowls and Wally review season 2 of Peacemaker and the trajectory of DC Studios.Synopsis:Chris `Peacemaker' Smith is a mercenary who believes he is pursuing freedom and peace when he is really just killing people. What makes him who he is? How was his life? Who are his friends?Trailer:https://youtu.be/Co-f2F4P_UE?si=y6yWkzlIluhTN3VR

Rowls and special guest Van Everette, host of The Scenario Radio Show, do a “Watcher” level deep dive on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Old Guard reviews The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the first movie of Marvel Studio's Phase 6.Synopsis: Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.Trailer: https://youtu.be/pAsmrKyMqaA?si=gJaCzMt_iWoiw-sr

Wally & Rowls review the official kickoff of the new DC Extended Universe, James Gunn’s Superman.Synopsis:Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.Trailer: https://youtu.be/Ox8ZLF6cGM0?si=EGSZ6Z1gJLm3LYen

Wally and Rowls review the new Marvel Studios show Ironheart on Disney+.Synopsis:Genius teenage inventor Riri Williams creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man.Trailer:https://youtu.be/fsQgc9pCyDU?si=C4cjg9IeZuPOnyso

Rowls goes on a solo mission to review the final installment of the Mission Impossible 30 year franchise. Synopsis:Directed by Christopher McQuarrie Ethan Hunt and the IMF team race against time to find the Entity, a rogue artificial intelligence that can destroy mankind.Trailer:https://youtu.be/fsQgc9pCyDU?si=C4cjg9IeZuPOnyso

Wally and Rowls are joined by our friend Van Everette, host of The Scenario Radio Show to review Marvel’s Thunderbolts*.Synopsis:Directed by Jake SchreierAfter finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must go on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.Trailer:https://youtu.be/Oe61Le-kmow?si=vzSx8uTSnzD-QyVh

Wally and Rowls are joined by our friend Van Everette, host of the Scenario Radio Show to review season two of Andor. Synopsis: In an era filled with danger, deception, and intrigue, Cassian Andor embarks on a path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero.Watch it on Disney+Trailer:https://youtu.be/AE4wxt70aUM?si=4DFKQXzt91ZRYJN5Episode Note: Van mentioned a book during our podcast - “We Refuse” by Kelly Carter JacksonYou can find it here on Amazon.

Rowls and Wally conclude their review of Warner Brothers latest blockbuster, Sinners.We touched on the powerful Sinners motion picture score and soundtrack:Sinners Motion Picture Score: https://open.spotify.com/album/6PQXsiHd4AjrAqhWLd5HyT?si=ELLatGFnQZm3bD63JmngVQSinners Motion Picture Soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/album/0zjAqh1Fr7XQWy1SlzGhMn?si=mOlKktHWSi2viGPVzAxphgReferenced easter eggs found in the about section on this Spotify Page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0SBtkuQnoKrDFqsMNrFzhU?si=41EbPmJHSbekXQsxMgi85w&nd=1&dlsi=4d55b89af54246fbMovie Synopsis:Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.Trailer:https://youtu.be/bKGxHflevuk?si=daxJPSaLTDTmAxYO

Rowls and Wally talk about the culture building in and behind the scenes for the movie Sinners.Movie Synopsis: Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.Trailer:https://youtu.be/bKGxHflevuk?si=daxJPSaLTDTmAxYO

Allow us reintorduce ourselves! Wally and Rowls return to the mic with a renewed energy with the all-new Old Guard Podcast!